North Carolina’s standing on teacher pay keeps improving compared to other states.

The National Education Association released on Tuesday its annual teacher salary rankings. The data show North Carolina ranked 34th in average teacher pay during the 2017-18 school year at more than $51,200, compared to 38th the year before.

The North Carolina Association of Educators — the state’s NEA affiliate — says last year’s average pay ranked fourth in the Southeast.

An NCAE news release also estimates North Carolina will move to 29th overall and 2nd in the Southeast when this school year ends, with an average salary of almost $54,000.

The Republican-controlled legislature has approved teacher raises for five consecutive years. But Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and allies like NCAE have complained veteran teachers have been left behind.